How to Ensure Your Toddler's Great Dental Health
If you have children, you know that lessons you teach them when they’re young will stick with them for a lifetime; that includes dental health. The steps you take early will help form the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth. Here’s how to make sure that in coordination with trips to your family dental center in Houston, TX, your toddler has great teeth.
Good Habits Last a Lifetime
Brush your baby’s teeth twice a day, using a toothbrush and toothpaste recommended by your general dentist near Houston, TX. Floss when two teeth touch. Cut off all food and drink after you brush their teeth before bedtime. Do not use mouthwash with your baby until they can spit it out or rely on the advice from your dentist as to when to use it.
No Bottles before Napping
Ok, that probably will not always be well received, but you need to make sure you do not put your infant down for a nap with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. The sugars in each can help bacteria grow. If your child needs a bottle to help them fall asleep, use water.
Monitor Sugar in Medicines
Medication for kids is flavored and sugary because if it were not, getting them to take it would be a major hassle. That said, the same sugar that makes it palatable to your infant can also aid in tooth decay. Make sure if you have to give your child medicine, they brush their teeth after. Also, be on alert for yeast and fungal infections if your child is on antibiotics; you can get more advice on how to handle dental health and antibiotics at your practitioner of general practice dentistry in Houston, TX.
You will need a specialized dental health regimen if your child is on any type of long-term medication. If they are and you don’t instill in them habits to counter various dental issues long-term medication can cause, you will eventually have to pursue cosmetic family dentistry in Houston, TX, at some point, in all likelihood.
Do Not Relent
The old saying is “be good to your teeth and they will be good to you.” The lessons your child learns when young from you and the best general dentist in Houston, TX, will give them good habits that will last them for their entire lives. Thus, you cannot give in when your child does not want to take care of his or her teeth.
To that end, do not wait until it’s right before bedtime when they’re tired and their cooperation threshold is low. Let them choose the tools like the toothbrush and toothpaste. Entice them to brush and floss regularly with a reward for doing it regularly or challenge them and their siblings to see who is the most consistent over a month. Kids love contests and they love winning contests.
It’s key to get your child used to taking care of their teeth, mouth and gums as early as possible. The habits you teach them today will result in a lifetime of good dental health. Work with your family dental center in Houston, TX, to ensure your infant starts their dental health on the right foot.